twins

these babies are so close to my heart... i wish i could just scoop them up right now! their mother is on her death bed dying from AID's and TB while they laid malnourished, negelected, and uncared for because their mother does not even have the strength to take care of herself, let alone these precious little ones. The boys and I will get to love on Eli and Ellie in Uganda when we visit Rachel & Mandie in a month!

Uganda & Kenya

Steyne Family Missions Update

My heartstrings have always been tied to Africa…they say once you have been you never really leave! The time has come for my family to see my passion for Africa come to life. From the overflow of my heart, Eli, has caught the desire for Africa (if only in theory)- with every airplane he says “I go to Africa on BIG airplane to get baby girl. I want to bring her to me house for a bath and shoes”. Although we will not be bringing a baby home on THIS trip (because it is just not that easy, legally), however, adoption is in the VERY near future and we would appreciate your prayers as we begin the journey. James 1:27 “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” Our worldview is the way that we perceive and look at the world around us and we want to make sure that our children know the realities around the world. Reality makes it hard for me to sleep at night-

· 163 million children are orphaned
· ½ the World’s population live on less than $2 a day = cup of sweet tea
· 40% of the World have NEVER heard the Gospel

These statistics are more than just statistics to me because I know names, faces and children who make up the enormous number of orphaned, poverty, and lost without Jesus. In James 2:17 it says, “Faith without deeds is dead.”

So as a family we are taking action, stepping out in faith, looking at the bigger picture… there is more to life than the day in and day out stuff that consumes us. We are on a journey to live out Jesus in all that we say and do. We are seeking His face in the next chapter of our lives. This October & November we are taking a step back from our daily grind in Columbia, SC and boarding planes headed to Uganda & Kenya.

Our plans are not set in stone, but being the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus Christ is our purpose. Eli (3 years), Levi (17 months), Christen (friend since middle school) and I will be spending 10 days in Masindi, Uganda where we will:

· Encourage and come alongside of Rachel & Mandie, who are training Ugandan nurses to run a hospital.

· Spend time at Family Spirit orphanage, especially with the 5 month olds twins who Rachel and Mandie are caring for in their home.

· Teach about nutrition, prevention & hygiene

From there Christen will return home; Rachel, the boys and I will take a bus ride to Kenya and spend a few days together. Then Rachel will return to Uganda and Chris will arrive in Kenya where we will be spending time at:

· Kings Kids Village (orphanage where I did my internship for Intercultural Studies degree from Columbia Int. University)

· Mattaw Orphanage in Kitale, helping to finish the construction of their third house for orphans

· Visit professors and friends from Scott Theological College (Bible college I attended my sophomore year

· I hope to introduce my family to my dearest brother Solomon (we knew him when we lived in South Africa 14 years ago)

· Visit the coast for a time of rest, relaxation, reflection and prayer, before returning to the chaos of life.

Part of why I need Africa is to slow down and become intentional in my relationships, instead of being consumed by the busyness of our lives and culture. I find it much easier to fall face down on the dirt before my Lord in prayer, even over the smallest things and I need to get back to this place in my life. We need to be reminded that there is more to life than the life we have been living.

So we ask for your prayers:

· That He will break our hearts for what breaks His heart

· For the Lord to use us as a family to live out Christ to everyone we meet & to be intentional in our conversations

· That the Lord will show us His plans for our lives

· Traveling mercies, especially with Eli & Levi

· For the funds to make it possible. We have both been working side jobs, but have fallen a bit short and time is drawing near. I am selling necklaces made by Ugandan women, and if you would like one please let me know, they will make great Christmas presents!


Thank you for praying for us and for walking through life with us. We love and appreciate you!

Chris, Keely, Eli & Levi

No Matter What

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I’m running back to your promises one more time, Lord that’s all I can hold on to,

I gotta say this has taken me by surprise, but nothing surprises you.

Before a heartache can ever touch my life, it has to go through Your hands, and even though I keep asking why, I keep asking why.

No matter what, I’m gonna love You, no matter what I’m gonna need You,

I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain but if not, I’ll trust you, no matter what, no matter what.

When I’m stuck and there’s nothing else by myself, I’m just sitting in silence, there’s no way I can make it without Your help, I won’t even try it. I know You have Your reasons for everything, so I will keep believing, whatever I might be feeling, God you are my hope, and you will be my strength,

No matter what, I’m gonna love You, no matter what I’m gonna need You, I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain but if not, I’ll trust you, no matter what, no matter what.

Anything I don’t have You can give it to me, but it’s OK if You don’t, I’m not here for those things, the touch of Your love is enough on its own, no matter what I still love You and I’m gonna need You

No matter what I’m gonna love you, no matter what I’m gonna need you, I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain but if not , I’ll trust You, no matter what, no matter what. I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain, but if not, I’ll trust you, no matter what no matter what no matter no matter what

forever in my heart

written in the sand
washed away by waves

forever in my heart
may the Lord be praised



Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed a dream.
I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.

When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.

"Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I'm aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don't understand why, when I need You most, You leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you."